Neuromuscular Dentistry
TMJ Therapy from Our LVI Dentist
You have one small, triangular-shaped joint – the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) – in front of each ear. When these joints operate smoothly, pain-free jaw motion occurs. Throw a little stress, a misaligned bite, or trauma into the mix, and these joints can malfunction. You may experience chronic headaches, earaches, jaw-clicking, or pain in the shoulder, jaw, face, or neck. As an LVI-trained neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Bryce is attuned to the causes and symptoms of TMJ disorder. He employs modern technology and a keen eye honed by experience and training to discover the source of TMJ-related discomfort and restore healthy, comfortable function.
Neuromuscular Dentistry
Dentists trained in neuromuscular dentistry understand that the position of the jaw and the function of nerves and muscles affect the teeth. Improper positioning can cause pain that radiates along the jaw, down the arms, and into the back. Dr. Bryce is a skilled practitioner of neuromuscular dentistry. He’ll assess each aspect of your chewing system to determine the appropriate TMJ therapy for your unique situation.
Modern Technology
Dr. Bryce uses a Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation, or TENS, unit to relax jaw muscles and increase blood flow to flush toxins. Once free from stress, jaw muscles naturally settle into their optimal resting position. A computerized mandibular scanning unit called a K-7 records proper alignment, creates digital models of teeth, and determines the extent, if any, of jaw joint damage. Using the information from these instruments, Dr. Bryce creates customized treatment plans for each individual patient.
Treatment Options
Our LVI dentist may suggest oral appliance therapy for stress-free jaw joint performance. If he determines that a misaligned bite is to blame for your pain, he can build up the surface of back teeth to optimally align teeth, jaw joints, and muscles. Our team also provides education on lifestyle changes and stress-management techniques for healthy neuromuscular function.
The signs and symptoms listed below may be related to a malocclusion, TMJ, and muscle problems:
- Headaches
- Pain in and around the jaw and TMJ areas
- Sounds from your jaw joints (TMJ) = clicking, popping, grinding
- Snoring
- Dizziness, grinding or clenching your teeth
- Stiff, sore neck and shoulder muscles (especially with pain radiating to your fingers)
- Toothaches or sensitive teeth unrelated to cavities or gum disease
- Clogging or stuffiness of ears with subjective hearing loss
- Abnormal tooth wear at the gum line often being attributed to brushing too hard
The great people of Potomac Falls, Sterling, Leesburg, Reston, Great Falls, and surrounding areas rely on Dr. Bryce for personalized, rewarding dental care. Call Aesthetic Dentistry by Design today to reserve your appointment with LVI dentist Dr. Bryce because you deserve nothing less than a life-changing smile.